Choosing premises for
your home business

By Colin Dunbar

Ok, "premises" may not be quite the right word. You should give some thought to the space where you are going to operate your home business, and this can have a big influence on how you run your business from home.

Where are you going to set up your home business? The answer to this question depends in a big way on what type of business you're looking to start.

A computer based business, for example, like graphic design services, or bookkeeping services, or affiliate marketing¹, can easily be run from a study, or wherever you have space for your computer. Having a secluded area is perfect, as this will limit interference from the daily activities in your household.

What do you do if you do not have a study or office at home? Do you put your computer on the kitchen or dining room table? This is certainly not an optimum place to work on your home business. You will only be in the way of your family and will not be able to concentrate on your work.

How about keeping it in your bedroom? That seems to be a less busy place than the kitchen or dining room. This will depend upon having the space available for an extra table in your bedroom. This is not the best place to work, since you will be doing your resting and your working in the same room of the house without a clear distinction between the two. This may end up interfering with your sleeping habits or work ethic.

If you're looking to start a more physical business, like making doll houses for example, you will obviously need enough space for a workshop. A garage comes in handy, or you can adapt a spare room in the house to suit the requirements.

Renting an office space outside your home is not an option since it would then not be a home business anymore but rather a small business. It will also increase your overheads considerably if you have to rent space for your undertaking. It is cheaper and better to find some space in the house where you can work.

The biggest challenge perhaps with working from home if you have a family is to make them understand and respect your work hours... and for you to do the same.

If you can minimize annoying interruptions you can get more done without losing your focus. Your family should respect the time you work on your home business and not distract you. You can tell them when you are working on your project or set a specific time so they will know not to disturb you.